That sure looks likes Darkseid, or a twin brother or perhaps his revived / augmented sister (the latter last seen as an important part of Justice League #23.1 Darkseid), tangling with the titular character in Animal Man #26.

Animal Man in outer space! How did this happen? And what will Buddy find on “THE SEED PLANET”?

Darkseid also seems to be closing his iron grip on Earth 2 despite the best efforts of a new Batman in Earth 2 #18.

EARTH 2 #18Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by NICOLA SCOTT and TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:25 B&W Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.

The new Batman of Earth 2 tries to turn the tide in the war against the forces of Darkseid and Apokolips, but even as new allies reveal themselves the planet trembles before its new rulers.

(4) The New Lobo Strikes

Despite “a” Lobo appearing in Stormwatch, and a new and old Lobo appearing in this week’s Justice League #23.2 Lobo, it appears the Main Man for a new generation tangles with Supergirl – not more likely heroes like Stormwatch or Justice League – in December.

Following the stunning conclusion of “Krypton Returns,” Supergirl arrives back on Earth with a new mission and a clearer understanding of her place in the universe. But a striking new foe prepares to welcome Supergirl home: LOBO! What could the mysterious new character want from Supergirl? Find out as the hot new creative team of writer Tony Bedard (GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS) and artist Yildiray Cinar (EARTH 2) launch Supergirl into the next stage of her life in the DC Universe!

(3) Nightwing Marches Towards New Identity?

It certainly appears that Nightwing is moving towards a status quo change after having his secret identity outed to the world in Forever Evil #1.

Will he become the Batman we see in the Forever Evil series as expected since the actual Justice League is MIA?

(2) Fish Have 9 Lives Too?

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #26Written by J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art and cover by MIKEL JANIN
1:25 B&W Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.

A FOREVER EVIL tie-in! The Crime Syndicate’s Sea King, last seen at the end of “Trinity War,” has cheated death and plagues the JL Dark team!

(1) December 2013 is DC’s New 49 not New 52!

DC Comics continues to climb back to having 52 ongoing series set in their core super-hero universe. December has the debut of two new series – Justice League 3000 #1 and Harley Quinn #1 – which brings the count to 49. So, in December 2013, we’re still not the New 52.

JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 #1Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art and cover by HOWARD PORTER
1:50 B&W Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER
RESOLICIT • On sale DECEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information. This title is resolicited. All previous orders are canceled.

The new series starring the heroes of today—tomorrow is resolicited, now with legendary artist Howard Porter (JLA) on board! But what are these heroes doing in the year 3000? And who (or what) brought them there? Get ready for a dose of wonder from the writing team of Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis!

HARLEY QUINN #1Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by CHAD HARDIN
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
1:25 Variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.

Harley is set to begin her new life, but she needs a job first! Enter the Coney Island Roller Derby! It’s game time as Harley sets out to destroy her competition—literally!

(BONUS) Since You Are Curious…

FOREVER EVIL #4Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
1:25 Villain A cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:25 Villain B cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:25 Villain C cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:200 B&W Variant cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale DECEMBER 24 • 32 pg, FC, 4 of 7, $3.99 US
RATED T • Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with six covers. Please see the order form for more information.

It’s all-out chaos as the DC Universe continues its march through darkness! War erupts across the Earth between the villains! Allegiances are formed! Rivals are murdered! And at center stage it’s Lex Luthor versus Batman—and their fight couldn’t come at a worse time as Deathstroke’s Hunting Party closes in on the world’s only hope against the Crime Syndicate!

This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

What stood out for you from DC Comics’ December 2013 comic book solicitations?

John Babos

John is a long-time fan of the comics medium and self-described comics historian. He currently writes the Monday weekly DEMYTHIFY column here at Comics Nexus. This follows years of producing the NEAR MINT MEMORIES column here at the Nexus, plus short stints at Bleeding Cool producing the COMICS REALISM column and a jaded column called ONE FAN'S TRIALS here at the Comics Nexus. John welcomes any and all feedback.